Effects of maternal subnutrition during early pregnancy on cow hematological profiles and offspring physiology and vitality in two beef breeds

This experiment evaluated the effects of subnutrition during early gestation on hematology in cows (Bos Taurus) and on hematological, metabolic, endocrine, and vitality parameters in their calves. Parda de Montaña and Pirenaica dams were inseminated and assigned to either a control (CONTROL, 100% requirements) or a nutrient‐restricted group (SUBNUT, 65%) during the first third of gestation. Dam blood samples were collected on days 20 and 253 of gestation, and calf samples were obtained during the first days of life. Pirenaica dams presented higher red series parameters than Parda de Montaña dams, both in the first and the last months of gestation. During early pregnancy, granulocyte numbers and mean corpuscular hemoglobin were lower in Pirenaica‐SUBNUT than in Pirenaica‐CONTROL cows. Calves from the SUBNUT cows did not show a physiological reduction in red series values in early life, suggesting later maturation of the hematopoietic system. Poor maternal nutrition affected calf endocrine parameters. Newborns from dystocic parturitions showed lower NEFA concentrations and weaker vitality responses. In conclusion, maternal nutrition had short‐term effects on cow hematology, Pirenaica cows showing a higher susceptibility to undernutrition; and a long‐term effect on their offspring endocrinology, SUBNUT newborns showing lower levels of IGF‐1 and higher levels of cortisol.     

Behavioural linear standardized scoring system of the Lidia cattle breed by testing in herd: estimation of genetic parameters

Docility is very important for cattle production, and many behavioural tests to measure this trait have been developed. However, very few objective behavioural tests to measure the opposite approach ‘ aggressive behaviour’ have been described. Therefore, the aim of this work was to validate in the Lidia cattle breed a behavioural linear standardized scoring system that measure the aggressiveness and enable genetic analysis of behavioural traits expressing fearless and fighting ability. Reproducibility and repeatability measures were calculated for the 12 linear traits of this scoring system to assess its accuracy, and ranged from 85.3 and 94.2%, and from 66.7 to 97.9%, respectively. Genetic parameters were estimated using an animal model with a Bayesian approach. A total of 1202 behavioural records were used. The pedigree matrix contained 5001 individuals. Heritability values (with standard deviations) ranged between 0.13 (0.04) (Falls of the bull) and 0.41 (0.08) (Speed of approach to horse). Genetic correlations varied from 0.01 (0.07) to 0.90 (0.13). Finally, an exploratory factor analysis using the genetic correlation matrix was calculated. Three main factors were retained to describe the traditional genetic indexes aggressiveness, strength and mobility.     

The potential to restore native woody plant richness and composition in a reforesting landscape: a modeling approach in the Ecuadorian Andes

Context

Natural regenerating forests are rapidly expanding in the tropics. Forest transitions have the potential to restore biodiversity. Spatial targeting of land use policies could improve the biodiversity benefits of reforesting landscapes.

Objective

We explored the relative importance of landscape attributes in influencing the potential of tree cover increase to restore native woody plant biodiversity at the landscape scale.

Methods

We developed land use scenarios that differed in spatial patterns of reforestation, using the Pangor watershed in the Ecuadorian Andes as a case study. We distinguished between reforestation through natural regeneration of woody vegetation in abandoned fallows and planted forests through managed plantations of exotic species on previously cultivated land. We simulated the restoration of woody plant biodiversity for each scenario using LANDIS-II, a process-based model of forest dynamics. A pair-case comparison of simulated woody plant biodiversity for each scenario was conducted against a random scenario.

Results

Species richness in natural regenerating fallows was considerably higher when occurring in: (i) close proximity to remnant forests; (ii) areas with a high percentage of surrounding forest cover; and (iii) compositional heterogeneous landscapes. Reforestation at intermediate altitudes also positively affected restoration of woody plant species. Planted exotic pine forests negatively affected species restoration.

Conclusions

Our research contributes to a better understanding of the recolonization processes of regenerating forests. We provide guidelines for reforestation policies that aim to conserve and restore woody plant biodiversity by accounting for landscape attributes.

     

Evaluation of comparative advantages in the profitability and competitiveness of the small-scale dairy system of Tulancingo Valley,Mexico

This article combines a Policy Analysis Matrix with a sensitivity and poverty line analysis with the objective of evaluating the economic contribution of comparative advantages to the private profitability and competitiveness of small-scale dairy systems. For 1 year, socioeconomic data were collected from 82 farms selected from four strata via statistical sampling. Two scenarios were established to determine the quantitative contribution of comparative advantages: (1) a simulated scenario, which accounted for the cost of purchasing the total food and the opportunity cost of the family labour force (FLF), and (2) an actual production scenario, which accounted for the cost of producing food and eliminating the payment of the FLF and included other income. The E3 and E4 producers were the most profitable and competitive in the simulated scenario and actual production scenario. Of the four scales evaluated, the E2 and E1 producers were the most efficient in taking advantage of the economic contribution provided by the comparative advantages in their own production of food and employment of the FLF, in addition to accounting for other income, a condition that increased their profitability by 171 and 144% and competitiveness by 346 and 273%, respectively. The poverty results indicated that only E3 and E4 producers were non-vulnerable in the simulated scenario and actual production scenario. The purchase of food was the comparative advantage with the greatest sensitivity to cost increases in the two scenarios analysed, which exacerbated the effect on the E1 and E2 producers.     

Effects of Inorganic and Organic Fertilization on Physicochemical Parameters,Bacterial Concentrations,and Shrimp Growth in Litopenaeus vannamei Cultures with Zero Water Exchange

To identify ways to improve water quality and shrimp production in closed systems, two parallel experiments (one in tanks and one in ponds) were conducted using Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, cultures. In both experiments, the effects of inorganic (Nutrilake®) and organic (molasses) fertilization on physicochemical parameters, bacterial concentrations, and shrimp performance under zero water exchange were evaluated. Fertilization with both molasses and Nutrilake enhanced the feed conversion rate, as well as shrimp survival and production. In tanks, the shrimp survival and production rates were highest in the molasses treatment, but this effect was not observed in ponds. In ponds, fertilization with Nutrilake increased nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations more than did the controls and molasses treatments toward the end of the experiment. In tanks, fertilization with molasses reduced ammonia concentrations toward the end of the experiment, but the same effect was not observed in ponds. In ponds, fertilization reduced the proportion of Vibrio spp. bacteria, which most likely reduced the incidence of disease from these potentially pathogenic organisms. In both culture systems, fertilization increased the proportion of Bacillus spp., which most likely enhanced food availability.     

Timely adjuvant chemotherapy improves outcome in dogs with non-metastatic splenic hemangiosarcoma undergoing splenectomy

Timely delivery of adjuvant chemotherapy has been shown to be advantageous in many human cancers and canine osteosarcoma. Adjuvant chemotherapy has been shown to improve outcome for canine splenic hemangiosarcoma. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate whether timely adjuvant chemotherapy administration resulted in better outcome in dogs with non-metastatic splenic hemangiosarcoma undergoing splenectomy. Medical records were searched for dogs with non-metastatic, splenic hemangiosarcoma that received splenectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy. The number of days from surgery to the first chemotherapy dose (StoC) was evaluated to identify the cut-off value associated with the best survival advantage. StoC and other possible prognostic factors were tested for influence on time to metastasis (TTM) and overall survival (OS). Seventy dogs were included. Median StoC was 20 days (range: 4–70). The time interval associated with the greatest survival benefit was 21 days. Median TTM and OS of dogs with StoC ≤ 21 days were significantly longer than those with StoC >21 days (TTM: 163 vs. 118 days, p = .001; OS: 238 vs. 146 days, p < .001). On multivariable analysis, StoC >21 days was the only variable significantly associated with increased risk of tumour progression (HR 2.1, p = .010) and death (HR 2.3; p = .008). Starting adjuvant chemotherapy within 21 days of surgery may be associated with a survival benefit in dogs with non-metastatic splenic hemangiosarcoma, possibly due to the early targeting of newly recruited metastatic cells after surgery.     

Soil compaction effects on water status of ponderosa pine assessed through 13C/12C composition

Soil compaction is a side effect of forest reestablishment practices resulting from use of heavy equipment and site preparation. Soil compaction often alters soil properties resulting in changes in plant-available water. The use of pressure chamber methods to assess plant water stress has two drawbacks: (1) the measurements are not integrative; and (2) the method is difficult to apply extensively to establish seasonal soil water status. We evaluated leaf carbon isotopic composition (delta13C) as a means of assessing effects of soil compaction on water status and growth of young ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa var. ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws) stands across a range of soil textures. Leaf delta13C in cellulose and whole foliar tissue were highly correlated. Leaf delta13C in both whole tissue and cellulose (holocellulose) was up to 1.0 per thousand lower in trees growing in non-compacted (NC) loam or clay soils than in compacted (SC) loam or clay soils. Soil compaction had the opposite effect on leaf delta13C in trees growing on sandy loam soil, indicating that compaction increased water availability in this soil type. Tree growth response to compaction also varied with soil texture, with no effect, a negative effect and a positive effect as a result of compaction of loam, clay and sandy loam soils, respectively. There was a significant correlation between 13C signature and tree growth along the range of soil textures. Leaf delta13C trends were correlated with midday stem water potentials. We conclude that leaf delta13C can be used to measure retrospective water status and to assess the impact of site preparation on tree growth. The advantage of the leaf delta13C approach is that it provides an integrative assessment of past water status in different aged leaves.